ON DECK
After a 3-1 start to open the season, Utah Valley University heads to Las Vegas for the Marucci Desert Classic this weekend. The Wolverines will face Weber State, Montana and host UNLV two times each during the three-day tournament.

The tournament opens on Friday with a 10 a.m. PT/11 a.m. MT start against in-state rival Weber State, the first of three games against the Wildcats this season. The two will also meet on Sunday at 9 a.m. PT and then in Ogden on March 24. UVU will play Montana on Friday afternoon at 12:30 p.m. PT and then again Saturday morning at 10 a.m. PT. The games against the Rebels will be Saturday at 3 p.m. PT and Sunday at 11:30 a.m. PT.

LAST TIME OUT
The Wolverines won three of four at the Puerto Vallarta Challenge in Mexico last week, defeating George Washington (9-1), Nevada (5-3) and Long Beach State (3-2) while falling to No. 21 Oregon, 8-0.

Devyn Cretz went 1-0 with two saves in the tournament and was named the WAC Pitcher of the Week after also being named to the All-Tournament Team. She had a 1.31 ERA and struck out nine during 10.2 innings of work. Basia Query hit .462 and drove in three runs including the go-ahead runs in the win over Long Beach State, and was also named to the All-Tournament Team. Abby Doughty had a big weekend at the plate as well, batting .545, matching Query with a team-high six hits. In the circle, freshman Katie Zuniga earned the win against Nevada and surrendered just two earned runs in her 7.2 innings. Brooke Carter also got a win in the finale. 

ABOUT THE OPPOSITION
Weber State went 3-2 to open the season in a tournament at Grand Canyon University. The Wildcats only losses came against Stanford.  Weber State is the defending Big Sky Champion and picked up a win over Cal State Fullerton at last season's NCAA Regional in Los Angeles. UVU leads the all-time series 16-15, but Weber State has won four straight ... Montana won four straight to start the season before dropping its only game of the Louisiana Tech Big Easy Classic to No. 18 Texas Tech. The Grizzlies are 6-1 all-time against Utah Valley and will also visit Orem for a doubleheader on March 18 ... UNLV went 2-3 at the Rebel Kickoff last weekend with wins over CSUN and Southern Utah. This is the third straight season that UVU will travel to Las Vegas for an early-season tournament hosted by the Rebels. UNLV is 11-1 all-time against Utah Valley and has won 11 straight. 

IN THE HOLE
Utah Valley will travel to Moraga, California next week and face Nevada in a single game on Friday, Feb. 21 before three against Saint Mary's. The Wolverines will take on the Gaels on Friday afternoon and then the two will play a doubleheader on Saturday, Feb. 22.